Education and Outreach

The Estuary Program supports ongoing stewardship opportunities that ensure greater public interest in the bay. People are more likely to engage in protecting and preserving the estuary when they understand and feel connected to their environment. Stewardship is encouraged through voluntary regional efforts. The Estuary Program connects existing stakeholders and partners through strategic outreach that lets people know they have an interest in protecting and preserving the Galveston Bay watershed.

Take Care of Texas is a statewide campaign from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that provides materials ranging from general information about environmental programs to specific, step-by-step instructions that address common environmental situations.

This campaign raises awareness of how each of us can make our state a better place to live, work, and play. Everyone’s first step to Take Care of Texas is to learn about ways to get involved. Explore the website to find simple ways to Take Care of Texas in your daily life, order free publications and educational materials for kids and adults, and get involved in the Take Care of Texas community.

The Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox is intended for use by state and local agencies and other organizations interested in educating the public on nonpoint source pollution or stormwater runoff. The Toolbox contains a variety of resources to help develop an effective and targeted outreach campaign.

The Coastal Communities Residential Outreach Project by the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) supports outreach for existing water-based plans such as Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plans, Watershed Protection Plans, and other water quality projects in the region. The project aims to target communities without MS4 permits in four coastal counties – Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, and Chambers. The goals are to work with residents to change habits associated with pet waste; fats, oils, and grease; litter and illegal dumping abatement; and on-site sewage system maintenance. The project also helps communities pursue funding resources to implement outreach plans and activities that address water quality impairments. The H-GAC works with local governments, related government entities, school districts, churches, civic organizations, homeowner associations, and informal groups of residents to plan and coordinate effective outreach strategies.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Debris Program and its partners offer free, downloadable, education and outreach materials for people of all ages to learn about marine debris. Everyone has a role to play in raising awareness about the problem, including educators, parents, friends, youth leaders, non-profits, corporations, and industry.

Through signature programs, advocacy, conferences, and other activities, the North American Association for Environmental Education works with partners across North America and beyond, to advance their mission of accelerating environmental literacy and civic engagement to create a more sustainable future.

This website is funded with a grant from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Galveston Bay Estuary Program.